NEBOSH Certificate Syllabus

The NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is a leading qualification in health and safety management. It'll teach you the skills and knowledge to create a safe place for colleagues to work and people to visit. 

The course is based on International standards, such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), so you can confidently apply what you've learnt in whatever industry or country you work in. 

Learning outcomes

By completing the NEBOSH Certificate you'll be able to:

• Plan, implement and review a health and safety management system. 
• Understand the health and safety responsibilities of employers, managers and employees set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
• Carry out a risk assessment and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Investigate accidents and prepare a report outlining what needs to be changed.
• Identify, control and prevent hazards in different types of workplaces.
• Lead your colleagues to work safely, in compliance with international best practice and your company policy.

Course syllabus 

Unit IGC1: Management of Health and Safety

This unit will build your foundation of health and safety knowledge. It covers HSE legislation and the key elements of an effective health and safety management system. 

Element 1: Foundations in Health and Safety

• 1.1 The Scope and Nature of Occupational Health and Safety
• 1.2 Moral, Social and Economic Drivers for Health and Safety Management
• 1.3 The Role of National Governments and International Bodies in Formulating a Framework for the Regulation of Health and Safety 

Element 2: Plan

• 2.1 Key Elements of a Health and Safety Management System
• 2.2 Purpose and Importance of Setting Policy for Health and Safety
• 2.3 Key Features and Appropriate Content of an Effective Health and Safety Policy

Element 3: Do

• 3.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Employers, Directors and Managers 
• 3.2 Health and Safety Culture 
• 3.3 Human Factors that Influence Behaviour at Work
• 3.4 Improving Health and Safety Behaviour
• 3.5 Principles and Practice of Risk Assessment 
• 3.6 General Principles of Control
• 3.7 Safe Systems of Work (SSW)
• 3.8 Permits-To-Work (PTW)
• 3.9 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 3.10 Safety Signs and Signals
• 3.11 Emergency Procedures and Arrangements
• 3.12 First Aid in the Workplace

Element 4: Check

• 4.1 Active and Reactive Monitoring
• 4.2 Investigating incidents
• 4.3 Recording and Reporting Incidents

Element 5: Act

• 5.1 Health and Safety Auditing
• 5.2 Reviewing of Health and Safety Performance 

Unit GC2: Controlling Workplace Hazards 

In GC2, you'll explore a wide range of common hazards from different types of workplaces and learn the correct control measures needed to reduce risk. 

Element 1: Workplace Hazards and Risk Control

• 1.1 Health, Welfare and Work Environment Requirements
• 1.2 Violence at Work
• 1.3 Substance Misuse 
• 1.4 Safe Movement of People 
• 1.5 Working at a Height
• 1.6 Excavations

Element 2: Transport Hazards and Risk Control

• 2.1 Safe Movement of Vehicles 
• 2.2 Driving at Work

Element 3: Musculoskeletal Hazards and Risk Control

• 3.1 Work-related Upper Limb Disorders
• 3.2 Display Screen Equipment
• 3.3 Manual Handling 
• 3.4 Manually Operated Load Handling Equipment
• 3.5 Mechanically Operated Load Handling Equipment

Element 4: Work Equipment Hazards and Risk Control

• 4.1 General Requirements For Work Equipment
• 4.2 Hand Tools
• 4.3 Machinery Hazards
• 4.4 Control Measures for Machinery Hazard
• 4.5 Specified Equipment

Element 5: Electrical Safety

• 5.1 Use of Electricity at Work 
• 5.2 Control measures 

Element 6: Fire Safety

• 6.1 Fire Initiation, Classification and Spread
• 6.2 Fire Risk Assessment
• 6.3 Fire Prevention and Prevention of Fire Spread
• 6.4 Fire Alarm and Fire-Fighting Equipment
• 6.5 Evacuation of a Workplace

Element 7: Chemical and Biological Health Hazards and Risk Control

• 7.1 Forms of, Classification of, and Health Risks from Hazardous Substances
• 7.2 Assessment of Health Risks
• 7.3 Occupation Exposure Limits
• 7.4 Control Measures
• 7.5 Specific Agents
• 7.6 Safe Handling and Storage of Waste

Element 8: Physical and Psychological Health Hazards and Risk Control

• 8.1 Noise
• 8.2 Vibration
• 8.3 Radiation
• 8.4 Stress

Unit GC3: Health and safety practical application

Health and safety practical application

The aim of this unit is to assess your understanding of topics covered in units IGC1 and GC2. You'll apply what you've learnt in two activities:

• A safety inspection of a workplace, identifying common hazards and suggesting long-term and short-term control measures.
• A written report to management outlining your findings and encouraging management to take appropriate action.

Course assessments

You must pass all 3 units to achieve your NEBOSH Certificate qualification. 

Units IGC1 and GC2 are each assessed by a 2-hour written exam which must be taken in an approved exam centre. Each exam papers has 10 ‘short-answer’ questions and 1 ‘long-answer’ question. 

GC3 is an assignment taken in your own time. It must be submitted within 14 days of your written exams.

Find out why you should take our NEBOSH Certificate online course